A Mo Bro with his hands up in the air celebrating
Our top projects of 2020Image by: Movember
A Mo Bro with his hands up in the air celebrating
2 October 2020

10 men’s health projects your donations have funded

Movember
5 minutes read time

In 2020, we watched the world change dramatically. But one thing remained the same: our mission to stop men dying too young.

With the funds raised by our Mo Bros and Mo Sisters, we accelerated our work to help men live happier, healthier and longer lives.

From uniting the world’s brightest minds and funding ground-breaking research, to launching our own programs designed with men in mind, here’s a look at our top project highlights of 2020.

Forward Momentum

Increasing diversity in research and resources for men with prostate cancer

Black men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than white men. To address this, Movember has teamed up with three prostate cancer organizations in the US to create Forward Momentum. Forward Momentum aims to address racial disparities, increase diversity in research and develop new digital resources for Black men with prostate cancer. These new digital resources will be delivered through Movember's dedicated prostate cancer website, True North. Tell me more.

First Responders Mental Health Grant Program

A $4.35m AUD investment in emerging mental health programs

In partnership with the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, Movember has launched a funding call for a mental health program specifically targeted at First Responder communities. The program will aim to identify partners to strengthen the implementation and evaluation of programs to improve mental heath and wellbeing for first responders. An initial investment of $4.35M is being earmarked over the next two years to support First Responder initiatives in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the United States. This collaboration will aim to support scalable mental health and/or suicide prevention programs that can be rigorously evaluated, use a gendered lens, focus on a broad range of mental health outcomes (i.e., not just PTSD), and a wide range of traumatic and non-traumatic (organizational and operational) stressors. Tell me more.

Olaparib

A prostate cancer drug breakthrough

At Movember, we love changing the game. This year, we have helped do that for men with advance prostate cancer. Olaparib, a precision medicine that has been proven to extend survival for some men with advanced prostate cancer, was given Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. The breakthrough is the culmination of a decade of research involving collaboration between scientific teams around the world and supported by funding from Movember. Tell me more.

Movember Conversations

An online tool to help you have tough conversations with men

It's never been more important to support and be there for each other but sometimes it can be hard to know what to say. That’s where our new tool, Movember Conversations, comes in. It’s an interactive tool that lets you experiment and practice questions and responses, giving you the skills and confidence to approach difficult conversations. Check it out at conversations.movember.com.

proPSMA

A new type of scan improving accuracy in prostate cancer treatment

Through a Movember-funded study, scientists have developed a new scan that helps doctors understand whether a man’s prostate cancer has spread. Results of the proPSMA study have shown that PSMA scans are more accurate than conventional CT/bone scans and that they should be routinely used in those with high-risk disease. Tell me more.

Family Man

Our new parenting program for dads

Dads are a major part of many families but represent only 20% of people who participate in parenting programs. We wanted to see this change, so we created Family Man – a new parenting program built with dads in mind. By equipping men with the right parenting tools, especially in tough times, we’re aiming to help men live happier and healthier lives. Making "family” Dads’ new favorite F-word. Take a look at familyman.movember.com.

TheraP trial

A new radiotherapy treatment for men with advanced prostate cancer

This year, we reached the end of a trial investigating the benefits of a unique radiotherapy treatment for men with advanced prostate cancer called Lu-PSMA. The interim results of the trial showed that Lu-PSMA is more effective than standard chemotherapy for men with advanced prostate cancer. Thanks to the generosity of people like you, Movember was able to co-fund the trial. Tell me more.

Mental health practitioner research

Helping us learn more about gendered mental health care

The number of men seeking out mental health support is increasing, but the suicide rate remains the same. That’s why this year, we commissioned an in-depth study of mental health professionals focusing on men’s mental health treatment. With the findings, we’re working to build a one-of-a-kind training program to help mental health professionals deliver more male-focused, engaging and effective care for the men that visit them.

True North Testicular Cancer

A digital destination for men on a testicular cancer journey

In 2020, we continued to develop True North Testicular Cancer - our online tool with information, tools and resources for men who are facing a diagnosis of testicular cancer, along with their families, mates and loved ones. The tool is designed with men in mind. It provides information in a language that men understand and is delivered in a way that engages with them. Men in Australia are even able connect up with someone who has been through the cancer experience already and can help guide you through the ups and downs. We are looking forward to seeing this feature of the website available in Canada, the UK and the US in the coming months. For more, head over to testicular.movemberhealth.org.

Making Connections

Movember is supporting mental wellbeing in diverse communities across the U.S. Making Connections for Mental Health and Wellbeing Among Men and Boys began in 2015 with an investment by Movember to support diverse communities across the United States, all working to improve mental health and wellbeing among men and boys of color, or military service members, veterans and their families. This initiative has been built on strong evidence that prevention and early intervention can help improve mental health, and it focuses on upstream interventions that strengthen social connections and address stigma. Mental health is not only an individual issue, but also a societal issue that Making Connections looks to address with broader community-based approaches and through fostering resilience in individuals, families and communities. Because of the support of dedicated fundraisers, Movember is proud of have invested over $20 million in this initiative.

Join our movement

From 30 Mo Bros in 2003 to a global community over six million strong. Work like this is only possible because of our legendary fundraisers and donors. Your enthusiasm fuels our fire. Your support changes lives. Join us by signing up or donating today.